Former Drive Assist director receives 13 year directorship ban

The National Association of Bodyshops hopes the 13 year disqualification from directorship for a former boss of collapsed accident management company Drive Assist serves as a ‘deterrent to others’.

The NAB said that it had been working tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for “the debacle that resulted in the collapse of accident management company Drive Assist” were held accountable for their actions.

Their work alongside the Insolvency Service this week resulted in news that the first of the Drive Assist Directors, Christopher Wright, has been disqualified from acting as a Director for thirteen years.

Frank Harvey, head of the National Association of Bodyshops said: “The findings of the Insolvency Service and, in turn, the severity of Mr Wright’s punishment, is a clear indication of the complicit roles that have been played in the misrepresentation of the financial stability of Drive Assist UK Limited.

“NAB hopes that it is an obvious deterrent to anybody who may be intent on abusing the professionalism and good nature of our members and the wider body repair community in future.”

More than 250 people were made redundant with immediate affect after Drive Assist went into administration in December 2012.

Speaking to AM at the time, joint administrator Alastair Beveridge said the company had recently lost a major customer which had resulted in cashflow pressures and administration.

A multi-award-winning news journalist, Tom is news and features editor for Bauer Media’s AM brand. His role demands he keep abreast of all industry and business news to provide coverage of the franchised automotive retail sector and the wider automotive industry, while assisting in the management of the magazine’s production and AM events.